Hi Hi! I am finally making my way home in 2013 after a too long absence since my first burn in 2004. I am travelling from Australia with my brother. We have a ride from SF with a friend who is involved in the running of a Theme Camp. My problem is that our friend can arrive early to set up the Theme Camp but as we are just general (although weird) public we can not enter early. Any ideas of where he can dump us and how we may get to the Burn from there?

I'm relieved that you didn't jump straight to asking for early arrival passes. Depending on how much shit you have to bring in, you can probably just catch a ride with someone on the ride-share board once it comes up some months from now.

"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens

Get a hotel room in Reno - there will be plenty of opportunities for ride shares closer to the event. The Reno airport has a rideshare desk set up & manned by volunteers, but I'm sure that won't be the only option.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions already! I'm no-one special so I wouldn't dream of trying to get an early arrival pass. I'm assuming that most of our supplies will arrrive early with our friend so we would be travelling light so hopefully we can find a ride share. I know I am getting ahead of myself with planning - but since I have been trying to get back to the Playa since 2004 I've already been planning a long time!

BBadger wrote:I'm relieved that you didn't jump straight to asking for early arrival passes. Depending on how much shit you have to bring in, you can probably just catch a ride with someone on the ride-share board once it comes up some months from now.

Pretty much what BBadger said. And to make finding that ride easier, have your friend take all your large stuff you don't need in default. Things like bikes, tents, camping chairs, camping stove, ALL the non-perishable food, all your water, everything except maybe 1 or 2 medium sized bags each.

EDIT: Which is basically what you said in your reply, while I was typing this.

Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~pieholePlan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

I like MDFs response. It's so weird to hear myself talking like this (am I finally an adult? no, not quite yet). But instead of thinking of it as being special, think about it as being of service. Our theme camp is finally registered this year and our fearless leader (who is really just being of service) has early entry passes that he has offered to us. But he's not giving them out on who he likes the best, who has the best abs (or ass), but who is interested in coming early to help buld the massive Ewok Village from Outer Space.

It's not a pre-party. Well, it is in a way. But it's "pre-party" in the sense that you're setting up. Being of service so people can enjoy themselves.

If I were you I'd tunnel under the playa trash fence and try to come up right under center camp. Freak the hippies out

aww everyone this person is trying to find somewhere to hang until The event opens. I was just trying to point out that it's not too late to get involved with a project that might allow early entry. But the OP should know that it means Work, and by that I mean the others on the playa are not going to be all nice and sharing or polite and have time to chat. Pre-build and Set-up takes allot of effort the couple of "After work Parties" I was able to attend during Setup really were not worth it. by the end of the day everyone is so tired. and then the next day you've got hell to pay and just as much stuff yet to do. there is a world of difference between Setting up a Theme camp and Setting up an art project. I was Really happy when most of the Theme Camps got set up and we was able to get out of the wind at night. Some folks from our camp then came over and helped build. Their fresh outlook and enthusiasm were really helpful. Being on the Playa Early means your are working and nothing is more annoying than having put in 18hs of work under the blazing sun and then an Artcar drives up and 20 gawkers come wandering right into the work site asking if you Want a beer. of course I want a Beer. But I'd much rather a back rub, a hot meal and a hand lifting things into place.

But to the OP If you chose just to attend the event that is Fine. Hanging out in Reno has a lot to do. you will see burners all over. there are free and no cost things happening in town in those weeks. I don't know of many City's in America where one can Float down the River in an inter tube at night with a bunch of people and everyone fine with it. all so you should See Lake Tahoe it is the other direction than the playa but not too far. and well worth it lots of camping options out that way. lot's of burner traffic passes through there during the build up to burn so you might be able to work out a ride. good luck.

.......................................................................................Oh yeah, this year I was totally twerping out at the fence. ~Lonesombri